🎶: Hallelujah - FVR DRMS
The taut twang of a bowstring broke the stillness of the campus archery range. Caitlyn stood at the far end, her stance disciplined, her form flawless as she released arrow after arrow with mechanical precision. The targets, lined neatly at varying distances, bore witness to her skill—each arrow embedded dead center in the bullseye. It was Friday evening, and the range was eerily quiet. Most students had already left for the weekend, leaving Caitlyn in a rare pocket of solitude. She relished these moments, the steady rhythm of her breathing and the controlled release of each arrow silencing the chaos of her thoughts.
She nocked another arrow, her gloved fingers grazing the smooth shaft as she drew the string back to her cheek. The faint scent of wood and resin lingered in the air, grounding her further in the simplicity of the task.
Breathe in. Hold. Release.
The arrow flew, slicing through the air before striking the target with a satisfying thud. Another bullseye. Caitlyn allowed herself the faintest smile, a quiet acknowledgment of her consistency. As she reached for another arrow, the faint crunch of gravel outside the range caught her attention. Her sharp instincts flared, though she didn't look back immediately. Instead, she listened, her grip on the bow steady as the sound grew closer.
"I was hoping you would still be here," a low, familiar voice called out, carrying just enough amusement to make Caitlyn's lips press into a thin line.
Caitlyn turned her head slightly, her piercing blue eyes narrowing as they locked onto the silver-haired woman standing at the entrance. Riven leaned casually against the doorframe, her pale green eyes sweeping over the range before settling on Caitlyn. Her hair styled into a short tousled pixie cut, had soft yet sharp layers that framed her face. A few jagged strands fell naturally across her forehead, accentuating her strong cheekbones. Caitlyn had to admit, she looked effortlessly striking.
She wore a tailored forest-green blazer and matching trousers, the structured lines complementing her sharp, composed presence. The blazer hung open over a crisp white t-shirt tucked neatly into her trousers, and with clean white sneakers added a modern edge, grounding the look with practicality. Despite the simplicity of her attire, the deep green of her ensemble made her pale eyes and stark white hair stand out, creating a look that was elegant, grounded, and unmistakably Riven.
Caitlyn blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected sight of Riven standing there. Her grip on the arrow faltered for just a fraction of a second before she straightened, her sharp composure slipping back into place. Still, a flicker of surprise lingered in her piercing blue eyes—though, if she were honest with herself, it wasn't entirely an unwelcome surprise.
"Riven?" she said, her voice measured but tinged with curiosity. She lowered her bow slightly, her gaze unwavering as she studied the other woman. "What are you doing here?"
The question wasn't sharp, nor was it accusatory—it was genuine. For all the solitary hours Caitlyn had spent at the range, she couldn't recall ever encountering anyone else here, much less someone like Riven. Riven's lips curved into a small, almost playful side-smile as she stepped further into the archery range. Her polished white sneakers barely made a sound on the smooth floor, but her presence seemed to carry a quiet weight.
"I was waiting for you to finish," Riven admitted, her voice low and smooth, the faintest hint of amusement coloring her tone. Her pale green eyes flicked toward Caitlyn's bow before meeting her gaze directly. "Didn't want to throw off your focus or anything."
Caitlyn blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Waiting for me?" she repeated, her voice steady, though there was a faint note of surprise she couldn't quite hide.
Riven stepped closer, each step intentional. When she stopped a few paces away, Caitlyn's sharp eyes caught the impeccable tailoring of her suit. The blazer, a deep forest green, was impossibly crisp, the fabric smooth and flawless under the dim light. Even the faint shimmer of embroidery along the lapels and cuffs felt purposeful, an elegant touch that added to its polished, expensive look.
"This feels like your kind of place," Riven said simply, glancing briefly around the quiet, empty range. "Quiet, controlled. No distractions... most of the time." Her side-smile widened just a fraction, carrying a subtle edge of teasing as her eyes flicked back to Caitlyn. She paused for a beat, her tone softening slightly. "I asked Seraphine where you might be," she admitted, almost casually. "She said you'd probably be here. Called it your... sanctuary."
Caitlyn's lips curved into a faint smile, her fingers brushing lightly over the bowstring as she considered Riven's words. "She's not wrong," Caitlyn said, her tone calm but edged with a subtle warmth. Her gaze flicked toward the targets, then back to Riven. "It's where I come to think. To breathe. Without... distractions."
Her sharp blue eyes lingered on Riven for a moment, a flicker of intrigue sparking beneath her composed demeanor. "So, what brings you to my sanctuary?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "I can't imagine Seraphine sent you here just to admire the scenery."
Riven's side-smile didn't falter as she stepped closer, the faint scent of crisp linen and something subtle, almost woodsy, accompanied her as she drew nearer. As she stopped within arm's reach, Riven slipped a hand into the inner pocket of her blazer, producing a small, gilded envelope. The faint shimmer of its edges caught the light as she held it up between two fingers.
"I didn't come here just to admire the scenery," Riven said, her voice calm but layered with something that felt almost... curious. She extended the envelope toward Caitlyn, the golden lettering on the front glinting faintly. "I came to invite you."
Caitlyn's gaze flicked from Riven's intense eyes to the envelope, her brows furrowing slightly as she reached out to take it. The embossed emblem of the Konte family's crest was unmistakable, its intricate design as polished and refined as the woman standing before her. Caitlyn's fingers brushed against the edge of the paper, her touch light but hesitant.
"Invite me to what, exactly?" Caitlyn asked, her tone measured as she tilted the envelope slightly, catching a better view of the ornate detailing.
Riven's lips quirked again, a subtle upward tilt that carried just enough mystery to be infuriating. "To my family's party," she said simply, her tone almost nonchalant, though her pale green eyes never left Caitlyn's face. "I need an escort, and I can't think of anyone more fitting."
Riven's gaze remained steady, her voice dropping slightly as she added, "And before you think of saying no…" She tilted her head, a faint edge creeping into her otherwise calm tone. "You owe me, Kiramman."
Caitlyn's sharp blue eyes snapped back to Riven's face, her expression shifting from polite curiosity to something more guarded. "Owe you?" she asked, her voice clipped but even, betraying just the slightest hint of confusion.
Riven's side-smile returned, this time tinged with a sharper edge. "For your friend's interrogations," she said, her tone deceptively light, though the weight of her words pressed down like a challenge. "They weren't exactly… subtle or kind."
Caitlyn's lips parted, a retort forming on the tip of her tongue, but she held it back, her mind briefly replaying the memory. I didn't think she'd be holding that over me. The tension in her posture eased slightly, though her grip on the golden envelope remained firm.
Riven stepped a fraction closer, her hands sliding casually into her pockets as she watched Caitlyn's reaction with quiet intensity. "Consider this an easy way to settle the debt," she continued, her voice smooth but carrying an undercurrent of finality. "All I'm asking for is a few hours of your time. At a party." She paused, her pale green eyes narrowing ever so slightly, as if daring Caitlyn to argue. "Seems fair, doesn't it?"
Caitlyn's grip on the envelope tightened, the sharp edges pressing into her fingertips as she leveled Riven with an unflinching stare. "It feels less like an invitation and more like blackmail," she said evenly, her voice calm but laced with a pointed edge. Her blue eyes didn't waver, holding Riven's gaze with a mix of cool defiance and reluctant intrigue.
"Does it?" Riven replied, her tone light, but the faint quirk of her brow and the glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement. "Funny, I thought I was being... generous." She tilted her head slightly, her sharp features catching the dim light as her lips curved into a faint smirk. "But if you'd prefer to call it blackmail, I won't argue."
Caitlyn arched a brow, her lips pressing into a thin line as she considered Riven's words. The audacity of her tone, the faint smirk that hinted at a game Caitlyn wasn't entirely sure she wanted to play—it all tugged at her instincts. But she wasn't one to back down, not when challenged so openly.
"Generous," Caitlyn repeated, her voice dry, each syllable deliberate. "And what, exactly, are you offering me in return for this 'generosity'?" She tilted her head slightly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing just a fraction. "Aside from the privilege of settling this supposed debt, of course."
Her words carried an unmistakable air of sarcasm, but there was also a flicker of curiosity she couldn't quite suppress. Caitlyn prided herself on reading people, and Riven's calm yet calculated demeanor intrigued her more than she cared to admit. Riven's smirk faltered, just for a moment, the sharp edge in her demeanor softening as something unspoken flickered in her pale green eyes. She glanced away briefly, the air between them shifting as if the weight of her words had caught up to her.
"I'm not…" she started, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant. She shifted her weight slightly, her hands retreating from her pockets to rest at her sides, fingers brushing idly against the embroidery of her blazer. "I've never been good with people," she admitted, her tone losing its usual guardedness. "And Piltover… it's not exactly the easiest place to figure that out."
She glanced back at Caitlyn, her expression unreadable but tinged with a rawness Caitlyn hadn't seen before. "You're the only person I've had a conversation this long with since I came here." Riven's lips pressed into a thin line, as if she were bracing herself against her own vulnerability. "And I'm not asking for much. Just… a little help."
For a moment, Riven stood there, stripped of her usual cool confidence, the tension in her shoulders betraying a quiet unease she hadn't intended to show. It wasn't weakness—it was something more human, more real. Caitlyn's grip on the golden envelope loosened slightly as she studied Riven, her sharp blue eyes flickering. The vulnerability in Riven's voice—unexpected, raw—caught her off guard, like a misplaced note in an otherwise perfect melody. She's not lying, Caitlyn thought, a quiet unease settling in her chest.
She exhaled softly, tilting her head just enough to break the intensity of her gaze. "Fine," Caitlyn said at last, her voice steady but not unkind. She raised the envelope slightly, her lips curving into a faint, resigned smile. "But if this ends up being some elaborate scheme, Riven, you'll owe me next time."
Riven blinked at Caitlyn's words, her lips twitching in surprise before a genuine laugh escaped her—a soft, unguarded sound that seemed to catch even her off guard. It wasn't sharp or sarcastic like Caitlyn might have expected, but warm and fleeting, as though the weight of the moment had momentarily lifted.
Her pale green eyes softened, the sharpness giving way to something lighter, almost appreciative. "Fair enough," Riven said, her voice carrying a quiet sincerity that made the moment feel unexpectedly intimate. "I think I can live with that." She let out a soft exhale, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she took a small step back, as if giving Caitlyn space to process her decision.
"Thanks," she added, her tone uncharacteristically earnest, her gaze lingering on Caitlyn just a second longer before glancing away.
Before Caitlyn could respond, the sharp trill of her phone cut through the quiet of the range. She blinked, the sound pulling her out of the unexpected moment with Riven. Fishing her phone from her pocket, she glanced at the screen.
Sam.
Caitlyn's lips pressed into a faint line, her brow furrowing slightly as she swiped to answer. "Yes Sam?" she said, her tone brisk but not impatient.
"Cait! Finally," Samantha's voice came through the line, bright and full of energy, the faint pulse of music and chatter humming in the background. "You're not still at the range, are you?"
Caitlyn glanced at Riven, who had taken a step back and was now subtly observing the targets on the range, her sharp green eyes scanning them with quiet focus. Caitlyn's brow arched slightly before she turned her attention back to the call. "I am," she replied, her tone calm but tinged with curiosity. "Why?"
"Well, you can't stay there all night," Samantha said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "Seraphine's performing at Vander's tonight, and guess what? Free drinks, free entry, and half the campus is already here. You're coming. No excuses."
Caitlyn let out a soft sigh, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips despite herself. "Sam, I wasn't exactly planning on—"
"Oh, don't even start," Samantha interrupted, her voice full of mock indignation. "You deserve a break, and this is me doing you a favor. Get here, Cait. It's Friday. You're allowed to have fun, you know."
Caitlyn hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting back to Riven, who was now glancing casually at the equipment lined up on the rack. The quiet intensity of her presence lingered, a contrast to the lively chaos Samantha was describing. Caitlyn's lips pressed together briefly as she considered her options.
"Alright," she said finally, her tone resigned but light. "I'll stop by."
"Good," Samantha chirped, clearly pleased with her victory. "See you soon! And don't forget, first round's on Vander." The line clicked off before Caitlyn could respond.
Pocketing her phone, Caitlyn exhaled softly, her focus shifting back to Riven. "Looks like I'm being summoned," she said, her tone steady but carrying a faint edge of amusement. "Apparently, Seraphine's decided to grace the city with her... talents tonight."
Riven's lips quirked slightly, a hint of intrigue flashing in her pale green eyes. "Vander's bar?" she asked, her voice casual but curious.
Caitlyn nodded. "You've heard of it?"
"Hard not to," Riven said, her tone light. "It's got a reputation."
Caitlyn tilted her head slightly, watching Riven closely. "You're welcome to come, if you're looking for a way to 'figure people out,'" she offered, her voice calm but not without a hint of challenge.
Riven's lips curved into a faint smirk, her pale green eyes narrowing with a flicker of amusement. "That's twice now," she said, her voice low and teasing as she leaned back slightly. "First to walk back to campus, and now to the bar. You keep asking me to come with you, Caitlyn. Should I be flattered?"
Caitlyn blinked, her composure faltering for a split second as her cheeks flushed faintly. She straightened, her sharp blue eyes narrowing in response as she tried to mask her momentary fluster. "I was being polite," she replied smoothly, though her tone carried a sharper edge. "Don't let it go to your head."
Riven chuckled softly, the sound warm and unguarded. "Sure," she said, clearly unconvinced, her smirk widening just a fraction. "Polite."
Caitlyn huffed lightly, turning away to finish gathering her things, but the faint heat in her cheeks lingered. She didn't need to look back to know Riven was still watching her, that quiet, knowing smile undoubtedly still playing on her lips. Caitlyn exhaled through her nose, willing herself to ignore the odd mixture of irritation and intrigue that Riven seemed to stir so effortlessly.
As she slung her quiver over her shoulder and secured her bow, Caitlyn paused, her sharp blue eyes flicking back to meet Riven's gaze. Her tone was calm, deliberate, though a faint trace of challenge colored her words. "Then here's a third one," she said smoothly. "I'm going home to get changed. Would you be willing to wait for me?"
Riven blinked, her smirk faltering for just a heartbeat before it softened into something more genuine. She shifted her weight slightly, her hands still resting casually in her pockets. "Yeah," she said simply, her voice low and steady, carrying a quiet sincerity. "I'd be willing."
Well I'll be damned.
ਠEND OF MINI CHAPTER ŕ§